WELCOME TO NEW DELHI

New Delhi is India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. A bustling metropolis that is one of the oldest capitals in the world, Delhi successfully combines the modern with the ancient. A tour of Delhi provides plenty to see and admire, from Mughal monuments to modern malls, from traditional arts and crafts to trendy fashion shows, and from skyscrapers to parks and gardens.

Delhi’s residents are known as ‘Delhi-ites’. Being surrounded by major IT and cyber hub cities, such as Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida, Delhi is the fifth most populous urban area in the world. In the past few years it has built better roads, flyovers and excellent metro lines, making it easier for people to travel in and around the city. For shopping and movie enthusiasts, the city has a number of markets, malls and entertainment complexes. Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Hauz Khas, GK-II are some of the best places for shopping.

Climate

The climate in December is pleasant with temperatures ranging from 7°C to around 18°C. Warm clothes are required. A light shawl or sweater can be useful. Since weather changes can occur in this season it is advisable to carry basic medicines for cough/cold/fever as a precautionary measure.

Time zone

Getting to and around New Delhi

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Terminal T-3 (completed in 2010) has direct flights to all the major airports of Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and Australia. There are multiple flights daily to/from the world’s major airport hubs, such as New York, London, Munich, Singapore and Dubai.

Taxis - Taxis are widely available, as are Ola and Uber cabs which can be hired via a downloadable app.

Buses - Delhi Transport Corporation buses connect all parts of Delhi. The red buses are air conditioned,
the green ones are not. Another common public mode of transportation in Delhi is the auto rickshaw.
Care should be taken when hiring a rickshaw and you are advised to insist on the use of a meter.

Currency

The official Indian currency is the Indian rupee (INR). The current exchange rate is approximately 67 INR per
1 USD. For conversion, the prevailing rate on the transaction date will be applicable.

Coins in India are issued in denominations of 1 rupee, 2 rupees, 5 rupees and 10 rupees. Coins in the denominations of 1 paise, 2 paise, 3 paise, 5 paise, 10 paise, 20 paise and 25 paise were withdrawn from circulation in 2011 and are no longer legal tender.

Banknotes are issued in the denominations of ₹ 10, ₹ 20, ₹ 50, ₹ 100, ₹ 200, ₹ 500 and ₹ 2000. These banknotes are issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

Safety Information

The city is generally a safe place to visit; however, as in most large cities across the world, some precautions
are necessary, especially when visiting crowded places.

Visiting crowded places

New Delhi is a crowded city and petty thefts are common. However, a few precautions can help you enjoy
this vibrant city and its culture more safely:

avoid carrying a lot of cash in crowded areas

avoid carrying a wallet in your rear pocket

carry valuables in a concealed belt pouch.

It is advisable not to carry your passport or other important documents around unless specifically advised
to do so: they are best left in the hotel safe.

Street food

It is strongly recommended that you eat at well established restaurants and cafes. As far as possible:

avoid street food

choose cooked food rather than any kind of raw food

drink water only from sealed bottles.

Clothing

New Delhi is a great mix of modern and traditional values. However, it is always good practice to dress modestly in order to avoid undue attention. Traditional Indian attire is comfortable and well suited for the climate; consider buying some from one of the popular bazaars. In general: